Naughty Dog’s recent comments suggest the Last of Us video game series might be concluding. Read on to learn about the future of The Last of Us and Naughty Dog's current projects.

The Last of Us: The End of the Line?

Naughty Dog's Statement

During a March 5, 2025 interview with Variety, Naughty Dog co-president Neil Druckmann hinted that The Last of Us Part II might be the final installment in the game series. When asked about a potential The Last of Us Part III, Druckmann responded, "I guess the only thing I would say is don’t bet on there being more of ‘Last of Us.’ This could be it." This statement casts doubt on the future of The Last of Us video games, as Naughty Dog shifts its focus towards the TV series.

Druckmann previously expressed his perspective on game sequels during the DICE Summit 2025, stating to IGN that he avoids thinking about sequels while developing the initial game. He explained, "I think you're jinxing yourself if you're starting to think about the sequel when you're working on the first game. So when I was making The Last of Us 2, yeah, sure. Every once in a while an idea pops in your head of where it might go if we get the chance to do another one. But I just approach it as, ‘what if I never get to do another one?’...I'm not saving some idea for the future. If there's a cool idea, I'm doing my best to get it into here."

This suggests that future TLOU video game sequels are unlikely, especially given the relatively conclusive ending of Part II. However, fans can still anticipate the release of The Last of Us Season 2 on April 13, 2025.

A New Beginning: A New IP

While the future of The Last of Us games remains uncertain, Naughty Dog is actively developing a new intellectual property. At The Game Awards 2024, they announced Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet for the PlayStation 5, a sci-fi title in development since 2020. The teaser trailer showcased its unique sci-fi elements, promising a bold and creative narrative. Further details are yet to be revealed.

The Last of Us Online: A Cancelled Project

The cancellation of The Last of Us Online paved the way for Intergalactic. In a February 19, 2025 interview with the Sacred Symbols+ podcast, former Sony Interactive Entertainment President Shuhei Yoshida explained that the decision to cancel TLOU Online was made after consulting with Bungie. Bungie emphasized the significant long-term commitment required for live-service games, a commitment that would have conflicted with the development of Intergalactic. Yoshida stated, "The idea for The Last of Us Online came from Naughty Dog and they really wanted to make it." He added, "But Bungie explained what it takes to make live-service games, and Naughty Dog realized, 'Oops, we can't do that! If we do it, we can't make Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.' So that was a lack of foresight."

Druckmann's comments, coupled with the cancellation of The Last of Us Online, strongly suggest that Naughty Dog has concluded its work on the Last of Us franchise, at least for the time being. Fans can still look forward to the PC release of The Last of Us Part II Remastered on April 3, 2025. For the latest updates on The Last of Us Part II Remastered, check out our related article!